Govt agrees to FDE teachers’ demands
Schoolteachers and parents protest against the closure of schools in the provincial capital. PHOTO: APP
The federal education ministry has sent a letter to the Ministry of Interior seeking an amendment to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Local Government Ordinance, 2021, which was promulgated on November 23, 2021 in Islamabad.
The development came after a successful negotiant between the government and the Federal Directorate of Education Joint Action Committee (JAC), which had been on constant protest after the government placed federal educational institutions under the Islamabad mayor.
“The purpose of proposed amendments in the ordinance is to ensure smooth operations of the ordinance in a coordinated and integrated manner by all the stakeholders to meet the desired objectives. The proposed amendments are the result of intensive consultations with all stakeholders including local parliamentarians Ali Nawaz Awan and Raja Khurram Nawaz Awan,” said a statement issued by the education ministry.
Sources said that the interior ministry will send the summary to the federal cabinet for approval. Amendment will be made if the cabinet approves the summery.
Teachers started taking regular classes from Wednesday as educational activities resumed in all educational institutions after the winter break. The talks were held between Additional Secretary Mohiuddin Wani and the JAC. FDE Director-General Dr Ikram Ali Malik, directors, heads, president teachers association and sector coordinators participated in the meeting.
“On promulgation of the ordinance, concerns were raised by teaching faculty working under FDE with regard likely operational implications in terms of smooth functioning of educational institutions. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training held deliberations with key stakeholders intending to bring clarity in the role and functions of concerned stakeholders,” the education ministry statement said.
It further said: “In order to create a balance in terms of roles and responsibilities of MoFEPT/FDE and the ICT Local government certain provisions of the ordinance have been reviewed with a view to empower local government for carrying out overall monitoring and supervision of educational facilities and to introduce development plans to cater for ensuring requirements of children education in Islamabad. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has requested the Ministry of Interior to further process the draft amendments in the ICT local government ordinance 2021 on a priority basis.”
According to sources, the proposed amendment has sought that the administrative matters of educational institutions will remain with the ministry of education, which will have the authority to make transfers, postings and promotions of teachers.
The summary has recommended that employees of FDE and all educational institutions remain civil servants and their cases will be handled under the Civil Servants Act 1973.
On the other hand, under the proposed amendment, the mayor of Islamabad will have the authority to oversee development projects besides delegation of powers to the local government for the provision of facilities in the educational institutions.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2022.